Photographing a boxing match

[trailrider]

Hello all,
For my first post - I've been given the opportunity to be a 'photographer' at ringside. What would be a good focal range for taking pictures of the boxers from ringside? I was considering purchasing a canon 2.8l usm is 70-200 but think it may be too tight.


I currently have a canon XTI with a sigma 17-70, canon 1.8 50mm, and I couple of kit lenses I would rather not mention.

Thanks for your constructive criticsim/help!

[ko-knia]

I did a series on Khmer kickboxing and used a couple of primes. The lighting was so low that a 2.8 zoom wouldn't have worked. At ringside, with proper light, a 16-35/2.8 or 24-70/2.8 would be fine. A prime like the 85/1.8 or 135/2 would also be handy for shooting isolated details.
Others shooters will be better informed on this than me.
My series is here:
Prodal Khmer (http://iantaylor.carbonmade.com/projects/54568)

[trailrider]

Thanks for your time. I have a 17-70 that should do well but I wanted somethign longer and more quaility, perhaps the 70-200 canon 2.8l is usm

[PhotosGuy]

Q&A Session with Gmen: Sports Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=116971)

Sports Shooting Tutorials and Advice (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=135417)

[daduls]

I don't think the IS is going to help in sporting events. Maybe something like a 50 1.4 to suck in the light and boost the iso a little.

[trailrider]

Thanks photosguy and daduls. I read through much of the links and understand the need for a wide aperture but still have a question. For this weekend (march 1st) i will be ringside with a pass and want to be able to do my best. I have a 50mm 1.8 (cheap canon lens) and a decent 17-70 sigma lens. That's it, I feel the need to have a more professional lens - would a 70-200 be to long for anything ringside? how abut the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens ? - thanks!

[trailrider]

Oh, thanks ko-knia - so you would recommend a collection of prime lenses? Have you lost any shooting opportunities because you didn't have the right focal length on a camera at an opportune moment?

[sspellman]

TR-

I just shot a boxing match on Friday and my Canon EFS 17-55/2.8 was great and the only lens I really used. With worse lighting the 50/1.4 would have ben good but I never needed it. The Canon 24-70/2,8 would have been another good choice.

-Scott

[daduls]

I have never shot ringside at a boxing match, I own the 70-200 non IS, it is one sweet piece of glass no doubt. What you have to keep in mind is the crop factor though. On the Rebel you have to multiply 1.6 x the focal length of your lens to get your cameras perceived focal length. So you tell me, is 112-320 too long for ringside?
If you have access to one take it out and see before the match.

[trailrider]

Guess what everyone; I went looking around today for some lenses, just to shop around and ended bringing home a new Canon 40D with a 28-135 usm is lens. I know, I know, crazy impulsive shopper! I couldn't turn it down. I also contacted another camera store that will rent me a couple lenses for the weekend. The guy at the camera store suggested a 24-70 and 70-200. I am assuming they are l lenses with wide apertures... I am still waiting to hear the rates and specifics. I couldn't turn down the 40D. it is so much more of a camera than the xti. I realize it is the same 1.6 crop factor but it is so much better in feel, quality, even the shutter sound is unique! I am going to go broke and I have to hide it from the wife! Would you guys keep the XTI as a backup or sell it, assuming you were not independently wealthy. Anyway, here's to the photo bug!

[PhotosGuy]

Would you guys keep the XTI as a backup or sell it, assuming you were not independently wealthy. If you can afford to keep it, I might, or sell & get a used 20D. Back-ups are good & you won't have to change lenses as much when things happen fast, or if you're anal about sensor dust.
Some personal views on Sensor cleaning. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184448)

[therealmr]

I shoot kickboxing, so here's my really quick advice:

1) Bring the 70-200, don't use it. If you're shooting on the ring, that range will be way too narrow.
2) Use the 50 f/1.8 at f/2.0 or 2.2
3a) Shoot in Av if lighting is not even, boost your ISO fast enough to allow for a shutterspeed of 1/500th of a second.
3b) If lighting is even, shoot in Manual, and prior to the game figure out what = a proper exposure. Still shoot for 1/500th.
4) Manual focus
5) Shoot a lot

The best range for boxing is 24-70 or 16-35 (with a second shooter on opposite side you're shooting from, which is what I do). THIS DOESN'T MEAN YOU NEED TO BUY THESE LENSES THOUGH. Seriously, the 50 f/1.8 will do you juuuust fine.

Don't sell the XTi until you shoot this game. It's always useful having a second body/second lens for stuff like this. You never know what might happen.

-Therealmr

[bildeb0rg]

24L on a mkIII, 1/400th @ f2 ISO 3200 manual exposure

[bildeb0rg]

Anyone else prefer black n white for boxing, or is it just me ???

[danaitch]

I recently asked a very similar question and got this fantastic link, so I'd better return the favour - click here (http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=8445)

[trailrider]

Tonight is the big night. I'm out the door in 30 minutes. I have one last question. How much memory should I bring? is 8gb enough if Im using the highest res on an EOS 40d?

[trailrider]

You know it just isn't fair! All my efforts and getting worked up to go to this boxing event and just as they pack the house with 400 or so people they cancel the show. Apparently in the state of california you must have onsite paramedics. the producers of this event hired an ambulance, but that wasn't enough and the state wouldn't let them fight.... anyw, i attached some pictures of an empty ring.

[therealmr]

Actually, having on-site paramedics isn't JUST a California thing :P haha.

Sorry to hear about that =(

[danaitch]

Tonight is the big night. I'm out the door in 30 minutes. I have one last question. How much memory should I bring? is 8gb enough if Im using the highest res on an EOS 40d?

For your future reference, I had a 4GB card for my first boxing experience and filled it up after three three-round bouts (and got a sore finger! :lol: ).

I guess it depends how many bouts you're looking to shoot! :)

[Yella Fella]

some good pics there, especially the kickboxing ones from ko-knia, must be quite hard from low light